GasBuddy News Article

53

votes

Chevy Cruze Diesel Is About the Torque

Design News
--
The 2014 Chevy Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel will bring the diesel engine to the world of US automakers in July, and consumers in this country are expected to receive the technology with open arms. The introduction could be a step forward for Chevy, as well as for an American auto industry that's searching for solutions to looming corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) mandates.

Indeed, the higher energy levels of diesel fuel could appeal to Americans, many of whom wonder why diesel technology has grabbed about 40 percent of the European auto market, while being virtually ignored by North American-based manufacturers of passenger cars. Chevrolet, for example, hasn't offered an American-made diesel compact since the 1986 Chevette.

"Higher energy levels of diesel fuel". This crude oil distillate hardly provides these imagined higher levels. Some creative writing by this author must be from the API book of 'Spin'.

Dr. Diesel's engine design is the thing that provides the high torque output, but it is at the expense of lower peak horsepower. A diesel engine is fine as a stump puller and perhaps a snow plower, but at the above premium price this byproduct of gasoline refining sells for in the U.S. it just does not fly.

The poor old Chevette, which had several derogatory nicknames, was miserable with its gas-powered four. With the diesel, it was downright unsafe. The U.S. just does not need another 'let's pretend diesel is clean' diesel powered car.

Had a Cummins diesel in a dodge truck, loved it, lots of power and better mileage than other trucks at the time 1996-99. Later in 2005 bought a VW Jetta TDI diesel and again loved the toque and excellant hiway mileage, sometimes over 50MPG. Only problem was VW has a warranty that stinks. I think that ideal car would be a hybrid diesel that with the electric motor giving great mileage in town and the diesel doing great on the hiway.

Somehow, I don't think that the Cruze diesel could compare to the Volkswagen Jettas, GTIs and Passats with diesel engines. They have been doing it successfully for a much longer time. Even less so to the Mercedes Blue.